Clutch mechanism.



y 'Patented Aug.. 2|, |900.

(No Model.)

Y NITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

I-IENRIQUE C. KENNEDILQF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CLUTCH MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part ofvLetters Patent No. 656,549, dated August 21, 1900.

Application filed Tune 26, 1899. Serial No. 721,985. (No model.)

T all when?, t may concern:

Be itknown that I, HENRIQUE C. KENNEDY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Driving Mechanism for Bicycles and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in ratchets and pawls for the driving-hubs of a bicycle or the like, and has for its object to provide a simple device of this description which will provide for the running of the drive-wheel independent of the sprocket in one direction, while giving said sprocket a positive hold upon the hub in the opposite direction, so as to transmit power from the driving mechanism, such as the pedals, to the drive-wheel.

With these ends in view this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specilically designated by the claim.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains may understand how to make and use the same, the construction and operation will now be described in detail, referring to the accompanying drawings, forming a part oi' this specification, in whichy Figure lis a longitudinal section of the rear hub of a bicycle, showing` my improvement applied theretogFig. 2, a rear elevation of the sprocket-wheel, the flange of the ratchetcollar being sectioned away so as to show the pawls, one of said pawls also being partially sectioned away to show the arrangement of the spring for holding it in engagement, and Fig. 3 a detailed perspective of the ratchetcollar and ring.

In carrying out my invention as here embodied A represents the sprocket-wheel over which the drive-chain runs for imparting motion to the rear wheel, and this sprocket has the recesses B formed therein for the reception of the pawls C, here shown as three in number. These pawls engage with the teeth of the ratchet D, which is formed upon the collar E, the latter being adapted to be secured upon the drive-hub. The collar E has formed therewith a iiange F, and a ring G is iitted upon its opposite end, and these flanges all embrace this sprocket-wheel and the faceplate H, the latter being secured to the sprocket-wheel by means of the screws I for the purpose of housing and preventing the displacement ot' the pawls. Each of the pawls is actuated in one direction by a spring J, which holds them in engagement with the Vteeth of the ratchet, and it is to be noted that any movement of the sprocket while in the direction of the arrow will cause the collar to move in the same direction bythe combined engagement of the three pawls with said teeth. This insures a positive h old upon the ratchet and distributes the strain in such manner as to prevent undue wear and tear on the driw ing mechanism. The ratchet-collar E is in= ternally threaded, as indicated at L, and is therefore adapted to be secured upon the hub M, which is also threaded for that purpose. A nut N is run upon the outer end of the threaded portion of the hub and acts as a jam= nut to secure the collar in place, and this, as is obvious, will cause the collar and parts car= ried thereby to revolve with the hub.

My improvement is especially adapted for use in connection with bicycles and is utilized as what is termed a stop motion -that is to say, the rider may stop the motion of the pedals and yet the machine will continue its forward progression, and when running down grade this permits coasting without the necesa sity of following the movements of the drivewheel with the feet.

I am aware that various devices have been contrived for bringing about this result, and I do not wish to be understood as broadly laying claim to a stop motion.

It will be observed that the face-plate is recessed uponitsinnerface opposite the recesses in the sprocket-wheel and that it is rabbeted to receive the ange of the collar, so that when in place it forms a practically dust-tight con= nection.

The combination with the hub havingexterior threads, of the collar having a flange, an annular ratchet and an annular Unthreaded portion beyond the ratchet and interior threads to engage the threads of the hub,a ring fitted over said annular portion and bearing against the outerface of the ratchct,a sprocketwheel having recesses in its inner face, springactuated pawls in said recesses to engage thev Io engaging the threads of the hub and bearing against said collar and ring, all substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto afxed my signature in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

HENRIQUE C. KENNEDY.

Witnesses:

ISABEL MAGQUEEN, WM. G. GLENN. 

